Adjustable outlet-box for interior conduits.



PATENTBD MAY 2, 1905.

W. F. BOSSERT.

ADJUSTABLE OUTLET BOX FOR INTERIOR CONDUITS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 26, 1904.

Jiwervaz' Wi/KM UNITED I STATES Fatented May 2, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. BOSSERT, OF UTIOA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TOTHE BOSSERT ELECTRICOONS'lR-UGTION COMPANY, OF UTIOA, YORK.

ADJUSTABLE OUTLET-BOX SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters FOR INTERIORCONDUITS.

ran-mt No. 788,880, dated May 2, 1905.

Application filed April 26, 190% Serial No. 204,932.

To (LZZ 71/71/6772 it may concern:

Be it known thatI, WILLIAM F. Bossnn'r, residing at Utica, in the countyof Oneida and f State of New York, have invented certain Improvements inAdjustable Outlet-Boxes for Interior Conduits, of which the following isa specification.

The invention about to be described relates to an improved outlet-boxfor interior conduits, and refers in particular to the means foradjusting the outer face of the outletboxes employed in the distributionsystems of electrical conductors in buildings after they have beenplaced in position in a wall or partition with the surface of theplastering. As the outlet-boxes and their associated connecting-conduitsare secured in place before the walls are plastered, it frequentlyhappens, although allowance is made for the usual thickness of theplastering, that it is spread un evenly in the vicinity of theoutlet-box, and the outer face of the box is left quite a distancecomparatively from the surface of the plaster. I am aware that deviceshave been employed to obviate this difliculty, but these do not meet allof the objections raised, an important one of which is that asordinarily constructed openings and spaces are left through whichcurrents of air may convey extraneous matter into the box and throughwhich solid particles of plaster or other matter may be dropped.

Another object of my improved box is to so construct the parts thereofthat no abrasion or cutting of the insulation of the electricalconductors can be possible, and it is an improvement on Patent No.754,414, granted to me March 15, 1904, in these particulars.

Of the drawings which illustrate the invention, Figure 1 is a sectionalview of my improved outlet-box. Fig. 2 is a side view of the adjustablesleeve. Fig. 3 is a section on line a: w of Fig. 1, and Figs. 4 and 5are sectional views of a modification.

In Fig. 1, (t represents the lower portion of the outlet-box, providedwith plugged openings in its sides and bottom, through which theconduits enter and at which they are secured, and Z) is the cover, whichis fastened to the lower box portion in any suitable mannor, and it hasa central opening 2, surrounded by the outwardly-pro ectmg collar 1, and

the edgeofthe collar is chamfered on its inner side. An ad ustablecylinder or sleeve 0 fits snugly but easily in the opening 2 of thecover 5, and the chamfered edge of its collar readily admits theinsertion of the sleeve, so that it will not bind therein. Provision ismade in the sleeve to prevent the abrasion of the insulation of theconductors, which are drawn into and out from the conduits by way of thesleeve 0, first by rolling the bottom edge inward. as shown by thetubular edge 4, and also by rolling the upper edge 3 outward, thusforming smooth circular surfaces at both 5 ends of the sleeve. In thedrawings I have represented the sleeve 0 as a closed ring; but it may bemade as described of Fig. 6 in said patentz'. a, of a sheet of metalwith its ends lapping over each other. The means for ad justing thesleeve relatively to the collar 1 of the box-cover Z) and for supportingthe same in any position consists of formingin the sides of the sleeveone or more tapered indentations or depressions (Z, into which extends asupporting member 6, which may be formed in the collar by forcing aportion thereof of the proper size and shape inward, or the member maybe, as will be readily comprehended, a set-screw or any other suitabledevice attached to or held in the collar. The indentations ordepressions are formed by means of dies, and the substance of the collaris pressed inward. The essential feature of the indentations ordepressions is the formation of a straight passage 8 lengthwise of thesleeve, from which, preferably on each side thereof, arelaterally-extended tapered toothed extensions 9 in the same plane withthe passage 8, and whose points 10 are in line with each other 9 andform the bounds or limits of the passage 8. The opposite toothedextensions are preferably staggered relatively to each other-e'. 0., thepoints 10 on one side are opposite the extensions 9 on the oppositeside. The indented portions 8 and 9 continue to the lower edge of thesleeve, so that when it is inserted into the'collar 1 the supportingmember 6 passes directly into the indentation and is kept in the centralpassage 8 thereof until the edge 3 is on a level with the face of theplastering, when the sleeve is turned to the right or left, as the casemay be, to secure the sleeve at the selected position, and it is thusheld firmly in the position and by whatmay be termed a f bayonet-joint.The teeth can be made as near together or as far apart as desired, andan exact level made of the outer edge 3 of the sleeve with the surfaceof the plastering. l have referred to the central passage as straight.This in a sense is true. At the same time by following the configurationof teeth from side to side it is also true that there is a sinusoidalcurve.

Figs; 4 and. 5 are respectively sections of boxes showing --theinvention applied reversely that is to' say, the indentation d is madein the side of the collar of the boxcover 1 and the stud 6 is made inthe sleeve 0. It will be understood that the adjustment can be made asreadily as with the construction previously described.

I claim as my invention 1. .A device of the character describedcomprising abox or member having an opening surrounded by a collar, anda metal .tube or 2. A device of the character described comprising a boxor member having an opening surrounded by a collar, and a metal tube ormember adj ustably mounted in said collar, one of said members beingprovided with laterally-arranged relatively staggered tapereddepressions or indentations, the other member being provided with aprotuberance adapted to engage said depressions or indentations.

3. A device of the character described comprising a box or member havingan opening surrounded by a collar,- and-a metal tube or member havingrolled top and bottom edges and adjustably mounted in said collar, oneof said members being provided with a longitudinal depression orindentation having relatively staggered laterally-arranged taperedextensions, the other member being provided with a protuberance.adaptedto fit within said depression or indentation and engage thetapered extensions thereof.

4. A device ofthe character described comprising a box having an openingsurrounded by a collar, and a metal tube ad justably mounted insaidcollar and having its exterior face provided with-a longitudinaldepression or indentation having relatively staggered laterally-arrangedtapered extensions, said collar being provided with a protuberanceadapted to fit Within said depression or indentation and engage thetapered extensions thereof.

In testimony WhereofI have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses, this 23d day of April, 1904.

WILLIAM F. BOSSERT.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK T. FOXENBERGER, EUGENE RYAN.

